Your bank is usually the fastest and safest place to order checks

Order checks directly from your bank's website, by phone, or in person at a branch. Your bank has your account number on file and prints checks that work immediately with your routing number. This route takes five to ten business days for standard delivery, though most banks offer expedited options for a higher fee.

Call the phone number on the back of your debit card or log into your online banking portal to find the check ordering section. Some banks let you order through their mobile app. You'll select the quantity (usually 50, 100, or 200 checks per box), the style, and delivery speed before paying.

Bank-ordered checks cost more than third-party printers—typically $15 to $30 per box of 100—but the price includes verification that the routing and account numbers are correct. A mistake in those numbers means the checks won't work.

Key Takeaways

  • Your bank prints checks with the correct routing and account numbers, so ordering directly eliminates the risk of printing errors that make checks unusable.
  • Standard delivery from your bank takes five to ten business days; expedited options cost more but arrive in two to three days.
  • Third-party check printers like Costco, Walmart, and online vendors cost less per box but require you to enter your routing and account numbers yourself.
  • If you need checks in one or two days, some banks offer rush delivery, and a few third-party printers can print same-day orders at a local store.
  • Reorder checks before you run out, because waiting until your last check arrives means a gap when you can't write checks at all.

Third-party printers cost less but require you to enter your numbers

Costco, Walmart, and Sam's Club print checks in-store or online at roughly half the price of bank checks—usually $7 to $15 per box of 100. You provide your routing number, account number, and the name and address you want printed on the checks. The store prints them while you wait (usually 15 to 30 minutes) or ships them to your home.

Online printers like Checks Unlimited, Deluxe, and 4Checks offer similar pricing and ship to your address. These companies have been printing checks for decades and handle the MICR encoding (the magnetic numbers at the bottom) correctly when you enter your information accurately.

The risk is entering your routing or account number wrong. If you transpose a digit, the checks won't work and you'll have to reorder. Double-check both numbers against a check you already have or against your bank's website before you submit the order.

Rush and same-day options when you need checks quickly

If you need checks in two to three days, most banks offer expedited shipping for $10 to $20 extra. Call your bank's customer service line and ask whether rush delivery is available for your account type.

Same-day printing is rare but possible at Costco and Walmart locations that have in-store printing. Call ahead to confirm the store near you offers this service and that they have your routing number in their system. You'll pay a premium—sometimes $20 to $30 per box—but walk out with checks the same day.

If neither option works, ask your bank whether they can issue you a temporary check or a counter check (a blank check printed by the bank teller). These work for immediate needs and buy you time while your regular checks arrive.

What information you need before you order

Gather these details before you start the order process: your routing number (nine digits that identify your bank), your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), and the name and address you want printed on the checks. Your routing number appears on the left side of the bottom of any check you already have, and your account number is to the right of that.

If you don't have a check to reference, log into your online banking portal and look for account details, or call your bank's customer service line. They'll read both numbers to you over the phone.

Decide whether you want your middle initial or full middle name printed, and whether you want a phone number or email on the checks. These are optional but can help someone contact you if there's a question about a check you wrote.

How to avoid delays and printing errors

Order checks before you're down to your last five or ten. Most people wait until they run out, which creates a gap of a week or more when they can't write checks. Reordering when you have 20 or 30 left means new checks arrive before the old ones are gone.

If you use a third-party printer, verify your routing and account numbers three times before submitting. Copy them from your bank's website or a current check, not from memory. A single wrong digit means the checks won't clear.

Keep your receipt or confirmation email until the checks arrive and you've confirmed they're correct. If there's an error, you'll need proof of what you ordered to get a refund or replacement.

What to do if your checks don't arrive or have errors

If checks don't arrive within the promised timeframe, contact the printer or your bank immediately. Bank-ordered checks usually come with a tracking number; third-party printers sometimes do too. Ask for a refund or replacement shipment.

If the checks arrive with errors—wrong account number, misspelled name, incorrect routing number—do not use them. Contact the printer or bank right away with a photo of the error. Most will reprint at no charge if the mistake was theirs.

If you ordered from a third-party printer and the error was yours (you entered the wrong account number), you may have to pay for a reprint. This is why ordering directly from your bank is safer if you're unsure about your account details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order checks from my bank if I just opened the account?

Yes. Most banks let you order checks immediately after opening an account, either online or by calling customer service. Your routing and account numbers are active as soon as the account is open, so the checks will work right away.

Do I have to order checks from my bank, or can I always use a third-party printer?

You can use either. Third-party printers are legal and widely used. The main trade-off is price versus convenience—third-party printers cost less, but your bank guarantees the numbers are correct.

What if I write checks very rarely and don't want to order a whole box?

Ask your bank for counter checks or temporary checks. Tellers can print a small number of blank checks on the spot, usually at no charge. These work exactly like regular checks but aren't personalized with your name and address.

How long do checks stay valid after I order them?

Checks don't expire, so you can use them months or years after you order them. However, most banks recommend using checks within a year or two because the magnetic ink can fade slightly over time, which can cause scanning problems.

Can I reorder the same style of checks I had before?

If you ordered from your bank, yes—they keep a record of your previous order. If you ordered from a third-party printer, you can reorder the same style if you remember which company you used, or you can start fresh with a different printer.